SAVANNAH, GA (WTOC) -
A Statesboro man
pleaded guilty on Thursday before a federal judge in connection with two
separate kidnappings in Bryan County.
Gary Lenion McDonald,
36, of Statesboro, is accused of holding victims for ransom in those cases. He
and others kidnapped a victim at gunpoint on Dec. 1, 2011, and released the
person after a ransom was paid, according to the U.S. District Attorney's
Office for the Southern District of Georgia.
On Jan. 12, McDonald kidnapped another person at gunpoint
and let the victim go after a ransom was paid, according to the U.S. Attorney's
Office.
"This defendant conspired with others to kidnap innocent
victims at gunpoint and hold them for ransom. Those who commit terrifying
acts of violence against our citizens can expect to be found and prosecuted to
the fullest extent that the law allows. The highest priority of the U.S.
Attorney's Office, the FBI and other federal and state law enforcement agencies
is the protection of the American people," said U.S. Attorney Edward J. Tarver
in a statement.
McDonald pleaded
guilty to conspiring with others to commit kidnappings. He faces life in
prison and a $250,000 fine. McDonald
remains in U.S. Marshals' custody pending his sentencing.
His sentencing date will be scheduled after the U.S.
Probation Office conducts a presentence investigation.
These agencies were involved in the investigation: FBI, the
U.S. Marshals, NCIS, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Georgia State
Patrol, the Bryan County Sheriff's Office, the Tattnall County Sheriff's
Office, the Bulloch County Sheriff's Office, the Liberty County Sheriff's
Office, the Richmond Hill Police Dept., the Pooler Police Dept., the Pembroke
Police Dept. and the Hinesville Police Dept.
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